insure4less Travel Blog

On 18 April 2017, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that the 457 visa would be abolished and replaced by the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which the government plans to implement starting March 2018.

Introduced in 1996, the 457 visa is a type of work visa that allows overseas skilled workers to travel to Australia and work in a nominated occupation by an approved sponsor. It lets foreign workers work in Australia for either a 2-year or 4-year period, depending on the classification of the occupation being applied for.

Remember what it was like before retirement? Days, weeks, months and years of work – either for yourself or someone else – to keep other people happy. But now that you’re retired, it’s your happiness that comes first. Research has shown that one of the fastest growing demographics in travel is the senior market. But we have to say; we’re not surprised.

International travel is one of those things that you get better at the more you do. You pick up little tricks along the way to make travelling easier – like the importance of having some spare cash on you at all times, and always keeping plastic bags in your suitcase for dirty clothes – while some travel tips are only learnt by the most frequent of flyers.

But now you don’t need to learn from experience – here we’ve gathered the very best and most useful travel tips and advice, for the ultimate guide to international travel.

Are you trying to choose the best travel apps to help you on your next trip? With so many to choose from, it can certainly be overwhelming trying to go through them all. But never fear: we’ve done all the hard work for you and put together a list of the top 6 apps every Aussie traveller should download before planning their next holiday.
Some of these apps are great for the planning process while others will prove to be invaluable during your travels. Download these apps onto your smartphone or tablet and you’ll have all the tools you’ll need to make your holiday as smooth and hassle-free as possible!

Chances are, someone you know has raved to you about Airbnb. You may or may not know what they are talking about, and even if you’re familiar with the concept, you probably have no idea whether your travel insurance covers this type of accommodation.

Are you hankering for a holiday in 2016? With so many vacation options to choose from, deciding on your next holiday destination can be hard, so let us make the decision easier for you!

We have come up with a list of great holiday destinations just for Aussies in 2016 to ensure you receive more bang for your buck and an unforgettable experience for your next holiday. The destinations we have chosen are not only affordable in 2016, but they are also enjoyable and packed full of attractions that will please even the fussiest traveller.

With a quarter of the year done and dusted, April is a favourite time for travellers to visit new places and go on new adventures. Fortunately for eager travellers, there are plenty of amazing events around the world that occur in this month. Whether it’s a popular music festival or a traditional event hundreds of years old, you’ll have plenty of experiences to choose from for your April escapades.

The United States has just lifted a 50-year ban on American citizens visiting Cuba as tourists, essentially opening up a brand new tourism and economic market for both countries.

These significant new measures, together with eased restrictions on trade and newly granted access for Cubans to American bank accounts and the US dollar, are all part of a greater push to broaden Cuba’s access to the global economy and restore relations between the two countries.

Independent travel to Cuba will now be much easier for Americans, and although there are still restrictions on the type of travel (it’s allowed for educational, cultural and other authorised purposes), the longstanding ban on general tourism to the island has been lifted and regular flights between the countries will resume later this year.

With the explosive outbreak of the Zika virus and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) subsequent official declaration of the virus as an international public health emergency, many Australians travelling overseas are in a state of panic.

Should you cancel your trip? Will your travel insurance cover it?

In short, unless you are pregnant or actively trying to get pregnant, there is no need to avoid travelling to the affected areas. At the time of publishing this article, WHO states ‘no public health justifications for restrictions on travel or trade to prevent the spread of Zika virus’. So as long as you’re careful and take steps to protect yourself against mosquito bites, you shouldn’t feel the need to cancel your trip unless you’re exceptionally concerned or cautious.

If you do choose to cancel your trip, however, the question about whether or not you’ll be covered will depend on your travel insurance policy. Find out below what the Zika virus means for your travel plans and your insurance.

Towards the end of last year, a landmark case at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that airlines are liable for delays to passengers caused by technical problems. Van der Lans v KLM is now recognised as not only one of the highest rulings on this issue, but is also binding across all European courts.

Putting the spotlight on international airlines around the world, the case saw a significant victory for passengers looking to claim compensation for flight delays. So if you’ve been a victim of these exasperating delays or you find yourself victim to them at some point in the future, make sure you know your rights and can claim the compensation you’re entitled to.

The Details of the Case

Corina van der Lans flew from Ecuador to Amsterdam in August 2009, on a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight that was delayed for 29 hours. The delay was due to the discovery of defective components on the plane, including the engine fuel pump and the hydro mechanical unit. Replacement parts weren’t available at the airport and had to be flown in from Amsterdam for installation.

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